i was going to make a holding tank and add a macerator pump, but these look easy. How do they rate ?
I haven't used one of these, but I had a sealed wooden box with a clear lid on it with a float switch and a plunger pump - worked pretty well, but occasionally the float switch would get stuck with hair on it and other scum.
I can't see where it mentions what turns it on / off?
For $100 it's probably worth it, just make sure the pump can handle some solids that will no doubt get into it and that the check valve doesn't block up.
Whale make a good shower sump system. Cheap shower pump systems are not the go, take it from experience.
Shower pump systems grunge up quickly with slime and hair which clogs everything up quickly and are not easy to clean. Submerged pumps and float switches will drive you crackers.
The best system is a Gulper pump controlled by a electronic level switch which Whale do as a system .
Be warned when the system fails the sump will be full of soapie water backed up to the shower / sink, so when you take the lid off, all the ****ty water ends up in the bulge. You will soon get jack of it and fit a a good system. Unfortunately it will run you into about $400.00
They work fine , you need to service the slime and hair buildup annually, keeps the rest of your bilge dry and clean.
Ok thanks was wondering how a submersible pump with a built in float switch with a bit of plastic mesh around it would go in that situation.
Might I suggest a square 20 litre drum cut in half to catch washing water and when finished showering, tip it down the vanity basin.
The K.I.S.S principle in action.
Yep that's exactly how its been done for the last few years, Tis getting a bit tedious and even though it doesn't get mentioned I'm sure the first mate wouldn't complain, the electric head was a winner 
Select to expand quotesouthace said..
They work fine , you need to service the slime and hair buildup annually, keeps the rest of your bilge dry and clean.
You mustn't use the shower very often and have a bald head if you only service it annually. When we are away on the boat we service ours every 4 weeks. Plus our kitchen sink water also runs into ours which would make it a little worse.
Jode thanks for the heads up on the whale gear, the Ic range would be good if under floor area was restricted. In my case it's not so I'm thinking to build a tank put a gulper on it with a manual switch, and thus be compliant to boot !
Select to expand quotewoko said..
Jode thanks for the heads up on the whale gear, the Ic range would be good if under floor area was restricted. In my case it's not so I'm thinking to build a tank put a gulper on it with a manual switch, and thus be compliant to boot !
That will work good with a gulper pump. I would still fit a Whale electronic level switch as well as they work well. See switch in the below link.
www.arnoldsboatshop.com.au/search/131691/
Select to expand quoteJode5 said..southace said..
They work fine , you need to service the slime and hair buildup annually, keeps the rest of your bilge dry and clean.
You mustn't use the shower very often and have a bald head if you only service it annually. When we are away on the boat we service ours every 4 weeks. Plus our kitchen sink water also runs into ours which would make it a little worse.
Shower every day , no bauld head yet but getting close , mostly soapy water that goes into my sump and the occasional woman that might cause a tangle in the sump!
I have three of these in my boat.
They are copies of the original Attwood Johnson unit to which they are identical in appearance.
They work well but you have to get the hair out of the pump impellor REGULARLY as it gets bound up pretty tight in there, not just the mesh guard thing you have to get into the pump.
The float switches built in have never failed on any of them in five years.
They have a built in one way flapper valve which is critical as when they fail continues cycling will occur as flow back will cause this.
I have fitted extra one way valves past the unit as a double protection.
Also it is easy to break the plastic tabs on the lid when removing top for service.
The will overflow of pump becomes clogged rather than backing up to the drain so then you will have waste water in your bilge.
Overall a good unit and will handle full shower flow and sink drain at the same time without being overcome.
